From What’s Left Behind to What Lasts Longer: How Crop Waste Becomes a Bag Worth Carrying

Most of what we throw away could have a second life. But in fashion, what’s easy is often chosen over what’s right.
At R&E, we saw value in what others overlook. Crop waste that's left behind after harvest is not just agricultural residue. It’s potential. It’s material waiting to be transformed with care, skill, and a shift in mindset. This is where the journey of our bags begins. Not in a factory line that runs on speed but in the fields, in the byproducts of farming, and in the belief that fashion should start with responsibility, not waste.

Rethinking Resources: Why Using Crop Waste Matters More Than It’s Talked About

Every year, millions of tons of crop waste go unused or end up burnt, releasing toxins into the air and contributing to the growing problem of pollution. But with the right innovation, these byproducts can become the foundation of something new, something useful, functional, and beautiful. At R&E, we use agricultural waste like discarded leaves and stalks to develop bio-based materials that don’t rely on plastic or petroleum. Unlike synthetic vegan leather, which often uses plastic in disguise, our plant-based approach means we stay away from harmful compounds and move closer to a future that feels cleaner and more conscious. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a better one. And we believe better matters.

Designing Without Damage: What Truly Makes a Bag Sustainable

Sustainability has become a word that’s easy to use and hard to prove. Not every product labelled ‘eco’ actually lives up to the promise. At R&E, we don’t stop at the materials. We consider how it’s made, who makes it, how long it lasts, and what happens to it when it’s no longer needed. Our bags are made in small batches by skilled craftspeople who cut, stitch, and assemble each design by hand. There is no mass production and no shortcuts. Just conscious design and intentional making. By using materials that come from nature and keeping our production ethical, we aim to create bags that tread lighter and last longer. That’s what sustainability means to us.

Built With Intention, Not Excess: Why Co-Creation Makes a Difference

The problem with fashion today is not just how things are made but how many things are made. Too much of everything, not enough of what matters. At R&E, we believe the solution lies in doing less but doing it better. That’s why we offer co-creation as part of our design process.
Our customers don’t just pick a product off the shelf they choose what their bag looks like, what it holds, and how it reflects their personality.
From materials and colours to prints and silhouettes, every element is a shared decision. When something is made for you and with you, you value it more and when you value something, you keep it longer.
That’s the kind of relationship we want people to have with their bags.

Saying No to Plastic Without Saying No to Style

Many alternatives to leather on the market are labelled as vegan, but they are often made from polyurethane or PVC, both of which are types of plastic. These materials may avoid animal harm but still harm the planet. Our approach to plant-based materials goes further.
By avoiding plastic completely, we make bags that are truly low-impact without compromising on style, feel, or durability. They look good, feel good, and do good all at once. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress and a genuine commitment to removing plastic from the everyday things we use.

What You Carry Should Reflect What You Care About

Your bag says something, even when you don’t. It reflects your rhythm, your values, your sense of design. Our bags are not just tools to carry things. They are expressions of a way of living one that’s slower, kinder, and more thoughtful.From morning commutes to weekend walks, from workdays to trips away, our bags move with you through real life.  
They hold space for what matters whether it’s a belt bag for everyday errands or a tote that fits your whole day, each piece is designed to adapt.To support, not replace and that’s what makes them different.

A Different Kind of Fashion Statement: One That Lasts Beyond the Season

In a world where trends change every few weeks, we build things to last. We don’t design based on what’s popular right now. We design based on what will still feel right next year, and five years after that. Our pieces are not tied to a season.They are tied to purpose. To craft. To your story.Fashion doesn’t have to be disposable to be expressive. It doesn’t have to be excessive to be exciting.Sometimes, the boldest choice is to choose less and choose better.

What Happens After the Bag Has Lived Its Life

Sustainability isn’t just about how something starts. It’s also about how it ends. That’s why we think about the full journey of each R&E bag from the farm where the material begins to the moment it’s no longer in use.Our materials are designed to break down better, and our commitment to circularity means we are exploring ways for used bags to return and be remade, repaired, or responsibly retired.It's not just about owning a bag. It’s about carrying a piece that stays meaningful even when it’s no longer in your hands.

Why We Do What We Do: Because Better Is Always Worth It

We didn’t start R&E to compete with fast brands or fill a market gap. We started it because we felt something was missing.Bags that are honest. Materials that are real. Design that doesn’t harm and a pace of making that respects both the planet and the people who live on it.Every decision we make comes from a simple belief that the way something is made matters just as much as how it looks. And that every person should be able to own something that feels aligned, intentional, and personal.